Foster Care and the Love of One California Woman

Nearly 800 foster children have benefited from Donna Wray's care.

Denalee Chapman
January 12, 2015

Donna Wray and her husband had two children when they moved to California. When the girls were nearing their teenage years, the Wrays were sad to find out they couldn’t have anymore children. This is when research lead Donna to learn that it was possible to adopt through the county. She also learned about the great need for foster homes.

In Riverside County alone, there are more than 4,000 children in foster care. The Wrays opened their home to foster children, and through the years have loved and cared for nearly 800 of them. They were delighted to learn that adopting through foster care would not only cost nothing, but that the county “holds their hand throughout the process [and] even after adopting, the children are offered … benefits.”

The Valley News reported about Donna and others who have learned how accommodating the adoption-through-foster process is. You let the county know your desires –- age, gender, issues you are comfortable dealing with –- and when a child comes around that matches what you’ve requested, the adoption process begins.

All About Kids facilitates matching children with families, whether for foster or adoption. Their mission is “to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and to support families.” The county needs good people willing to lift a child’s spirit and protect them with support and love. For those interested in more information on foster or adopting in Riverside County, their website is user friendly and offers vital information.

Denalee Chapman

Denalee is an adoptive mother, a motivational speaker, a writer, and a lover of life. She and her husband have adventured through the hills and valleys of life to find that the highest highs and the lowest lows are equally fulfilling. Book Denalee to speak to your group, or find Denalee's writings, including her books on her website at DenaleeChapman.com.

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